Concealed accessible suspended ceiling system

ABSTRACT

A multiplicity of suspension members for the ceiling tiles are provided for suspending the tiles from a multiplicity of runners. Each suspension member comprises a longitudinal flange portion, the opposite sides of the flange portion each being connected to a side flange, the side flanges on opposite sides pointing in opposite directions with respect to the longitudinal flange. To allow suspending the suspension member from a runner, the side of the first flange pointing away from the longitudinal flange terminates in suspension means, preferably comprising a hooked profile. The second side flange points in a downward direction and is provided with a third flange which also extends at an angle with respect to the second flange. The third flange is adapted to engage a corresponding slit or groove provided in at least one of the sides of the ceiling tile or panel, or to engage the bottom surface of the ceiling tile.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a suspended ceiling comprising at leastone ceiling panel and at least one suspension member connected to the atleast one ceiling panel for suspending the at least one ceiling panel toa suspension system, the suspension system comprising at least onerunner for suspending the at least one ceiling panel, adjacent runnersdefining between them a space for receiving the at least one ceilingpanel, the at least one ceiling panel comprising a top face facing thesuspension system and a bottom face opposite the top face, the bottomface facing a space to be covered by the suspended ceiling.

It is known to provide a concealed, accessible ceiling system in which ametal panel is suspended from the runners in a manner to hide theflanges of the runners, but also enable easy removal of an individualpanel in the ceiling system to gain access to that spot. See, U.S. Pat.No. 5,311,719, having the same assignee as the present application. Thispatent discloses a metal panel used in a ceiling system in which theceiling system comprises a plurality of parallel-extending main runnerswhich are spaced with cross runners. Each of the runners has an invertedT-structure with flanges extending outwardly from a web portion. Themetal panel comprises of planar sheet member with a pair of oppositeedges that have rims, the panel being dimensioned to span two adjacentmain runners. Each of the rims has a suspension structure integraltherewith for engaging the outwardly-extending flanges of the mainrunners. The panels also include stop means to prevent inadvertentlateral movement of the panels relative to the runners, which couldcause a release of the panels.

From EP-A-690.183 a concealed suspended ceiling is known which is builtup of a multiplicity of ceiling panels removably mounted into asuspension grid with the opposite side walls of each ceiling panelhaving a longitudinal groove. The suspension grid comprises a pluralityof profile rods which are to be received in the longitudinal groove. Thelongitudinal groove, and preferably the part of the edge of the sidewall of the panel situated above the groove (i.e. at a position remotefrom the suspension grid), is made of an elastic material, which iscapable of adapting its shape to the shape of the rods, to receive therods in it in a fixed, stable manner. The suspension system disclosed inEP-A-690.183 however has the disadvantage that it is only suitable foruse with ceiling panels that at least partly are made of an elasticmaterial.

Thus, there is thus a need for a concealed ceiling suspension systemwhich is suitable for use with any type of ceiling panels, regardless oftheir elasticity.

It is therefore the object of this invention to provide a ceilingsuspension system which is suitable for use with ceiling panels whichmay be made of a material with widely varying elasticity or rigidity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The suspended ceiling system of the present invention typicallycomprises a suspension system made up from a multiplicity of runnerswhich together form a primary structure or grid. The primary structureis attached to the building structure using suspension means, such ashanger wire, quick hangers, rigid hangers or any other usual suspensionmeans known to persons skilled in the art.

A multiplicity of suspension members for the ceiling tiles are providedfor suspending the tiles from the primary runners. Each suspensionmember comprises a longitudinal flange portion, the opposite sides ofthe flange portion each being connected to a side flange, the sideflanges on opposite sides pointing in opposite directions with respectto the longitudinal flange.

The first side flange preferably points in an upward direction from thefirst longitudinal side of the longitudinal flange. To allow suspendingthe suspension member from a runner, the side of the first flangepointing away from the longitudinal flange terminates in suspensionmeans, preferably comprising a hooked profile, which is attached to orformed in one part with the first side flange and is adapted to besuspended from the runners. For the sake of simple mounting, the firstflange preferably has a height that corresponds to at least thethickness of a ceiling tile. The height of the first flange ispreferably chosen so that, upon lifting of a tile, sufficient space isleft to permit inserting the ceiling tiles horizontally into the gapcreated between the hooked suspending profile of an adjacent suspendingcarrier and the upper surface of an adjacent tile.

The second side flange preferably points in downward direction and, inone embodiment, is preferably further provided with a third flange whichalso extends at an angle with respect to the second flange. The thirdflange is adapted to engage a corresponding slit or groove provided inat least one of the sides of the ceiling tile or panel, or to engage thebottom surface of the ceiling tile, and preferably extends parallel tothe longitudinal flange.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is further elucidated in the attached figures anddescription of the figures.

FIGS. 1 a-d show a cross section of different embodiments of thesuspension member for suspending a ceiling panel in the suspendedceiling system of this invention.

FIG. 2 shows a view to an embodiment of the suspension member for usewith wooden ceiling panels and a panel carrying such a suspensionmember.

FIGS. 3 a and b show a view to a suspended ceiling of the presentinvention show from the side covered by it.

FIGS. 4 a-c show a ceiling panel with different embodiments of attachedsuspension members.

FIG. 5 shows a cross section of ceiling panels attached to suspensionmembers suspended to a suspension grid.

FIG. 6 shows a view to ceiling panels attached to suspension memberssuspended to a suspension grid.

FIG. 7 is a cross section of a suspension member provided for suspendingthe ceiling system to an upright wall.

FIGS. 8 a-f shows different stages in the mounting of the ceilingpanels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A preferred embodiment of the ceiling suspension system of thisinvention is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In the system shown in FIGS. 5 and6, a plurality of runners 23 are suspended from a primary suspensiongrid comprising a multiplicity of longitudinal main runners 28,suspended to the building construction by means of hangers 27. Withinthe framework of the present invention it is however also possible todirectly suspend the runners 23 to the building construction without anintermediate primary suspension grid.

Preferred embodiments of the ceiling panel for use in the suspendedceiling of the present invention are shown in FIGS. 4 a-c. As can beseen from these figures, each ceiling panel 1 comprises a top face 12facing the building construction, a bottom face 13 facing the space tobe covered by the ceiling panel, two opposite upright longitudinal sides4, 14 connecting the top and the bottom face, and two opposite uprighttransverse sides 6, 16. The ceiling panels shown have a substantiallyrectangular shape. However, depending on the envisaged design of theceiling, the ceiling panel may have any shape considered suitable by theperson skilled in the art. The ceiling panel 1 may, for example, also besubstantially square or have the shape of a parallelogram, or any othershape as well.

The ceiling suspension system of the present invention comprises amultiplicity of suspension members 3. A detailed construction ofpreferred embodiments of the suspension members is shown in FIGS. 1 a-dand 2 a-b. Each suspension member 3 comprises a longitudinally extendingupright flange 21, a first end 31 of which is connected to suspensionmeans 2 for suspending the suspension member 3 to a runner 23 of asuspension grid or a runner directly attached to the buildingconstruction. The runner 23 may take any shape considered suitable bythe person skilled in the art. The runner 23 may, for example, take theform of the well known longitudinal runners widely used in the art ofsuspended ceilings. The runner 23 may, however, also take the form of anindividual hanger or a loop to which the suspension member 3 is to beattached, or any other form considered suitable by the person skilled inthe art.

Usually, a suspension member 3 will be mounted to both opposite sides ofa ceiling panel 1. It is however also possible to mount only a singlesuspension member 3 to one side of the ceiling panel, particularly forthose panels that are to be positioned along the edges of the suspendedceiling.

The suspension means 2 may take any form considered suitable by theperson skilled in the art as well. The suspension means may, forexample, take the form of a hook-shaped flange or any other suitableform. It is however preferred that the suspension means 2 comprise afourth and a fifth flange 24, 25 which are angled with respect to eachother as is shown in FIGS. 1 a-d. With such a construction, the tip isprovided to receive a corresponding flange of the runner to which thesuspension means 2 are suspended. Thus, the suspension means 2 areconfined in one single, unambiguous position, which permits to minimizethe risk to the occurrence of small variations in the distance betweenadjacent ceiling panels due to an insufficiently correct positioning. Asa consequence, an improved control of the distance between adjacentpanels is provided. The angled positioning facilitates sliding of thesuspension member over the runner to which it is attached. This isimportant as the slideable mounting permits, for example, insertingceiling panels with suspension members mounted thereto from one side orend of a ceiling suspension system and advancing already mounted ceilingpanels by sliding them over the suspension grid as additional ceilingpanels are added.

A second end 32 of the upright flange 21 opposite the first end isconnected to an attachment member 10. The attachment member 10 servesthe function of permitting attachment of at least one ceiling panel 1 tothe suspension member 3. Thereby, the first suspension means 2 aredisposed at a first distance d1 from the attachment member 10 taken inheight direction of the suspension member, which first distance d1 ischosen such that it is sufficiently large to accommodate between the topface 12 of the first ceiling panel 1 and the first suspension means 2 ofa second ceiling panel in the thickness direction of the second ceilingpanel.

The suspension member 3, the suspension means 2, the uprightlongitudinal flange 21, and the attachment member 10 may all runcontinuously over the entire length of the suspension member 3 as isshown in FIG. 4 a. The suspension member 3, the suspension means 2, theupright longitudinal flange 21, the attachment member 10 may all havethe same or a different length. It is also possible to suspend a ceilingpanel using multiple suspension members 3, 33 as is shown in FIG. 4 b.In that case the length of the suspension member will usually besubstantially smaller than the length of the side of the ceiling panelto which it is attached. Also in that case each suspension member 3, 33will comprise an upright longitudinal flange 21 and suspension means 2,and attachment means 10 as is shown in FIG. 4 c. For the sake ofsimplicity, strength and economic production, it is however preferredthat the suspension member 3, the suspension means 2, the uprightlongitudinal flange 21, the attachment member 10 run continuously overvirtually the entire length of the suspension member 3. To facilitatemounting of the suspension members 3 to the suspension grid 28 and topermit accommodating the connector clip 22 for suspending the runner 28to the primary suspension grid, it may be considered to cut part of theend part from the upright longitudinal flange 21 and of the suspensionmeans 2 (see FIGS. 4 a-4 c and FIG. 6).

The attachment member 10 permits attachment of one or more ceilingpanels 1 to the suspension member 3 in such a way that the ceiling panelis held, maintained and supported by the suspension member 3 in more orless fixed position. The holding function may be achieved in variousways known to the person skilled in the art. Possible embodiments ofthis holding function are shown in FIGS. 1 a-d.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 a, the attachment member 10 comprisesan abutment edge which is provided to abut against the top face 12 ofthe ceiling panel and against at least one upright side face 4, 14, 6,16 of the ceiling panel. The abutment edge may, for example, be fastenedto part of the top face 12 and/or upright side face 4, 6, 14, 16 of theceiling panel by means of gluing, stapling, welding, bolting, or anyother mechanical connection considered suitable by the person skilled inthe art. Gluing may, for example, be recommendable with ceiling panelsmade of glass. In that case a close fit of the top and side flange 17,18 of the abutment edge to the top face and upright side face 12, 4, 6,14, 16 of the ceiling panel to which the abutment edge is fastened, isimportant. According to another embodiment, the abutment edge may, forexample, comprise multiple protrusions, which are provided to engage thematerial of the ceiling panel and in that way hold the ceiling panelattached to the suspension member 3. Depending on the nature of thematerial of which the abutment edge and the ceiling panel 1 are made,the protrusions may additionally be glued, welded or molten in thepanel.

Optimum positioning and attachment of the ceiling panel to thesuspension member 3 are achieved with an abutment edge which comprisesclamping means for holding the ceiling panel in a clamped manner, theclamping means extending along at least part of the top face 12 andalong part of the upright side face 4, 14, 6, 16 of the ceiling panel.Depending on the nature of the material of which the ceiling panel 1 andthe suspension member 3 are made, a removable mounting of the panelwithin the suspension member may be achieved or not. The clamping actionis achieved with an abutment edge which comprises a first top flange 17which is provided to abut against at least part of the top face 12 ofthe ceiling panel. Usually the top flange 17 will abut only against alimited distance of the top face 12. The abutment may be direct orindirect through the interference of one or more protrusions 34protruding from the first flange 17 to the top face of the ceiling panel(FIG. 1 c). The abutment edge further preferably comprises a second sideflange 18 which is provided to abut against part of an upright side face4, 6, 14, 16 the ceiling panel or against the whole side face. Toprovide the clamping function, the abutment edge will usually compriseat least one third flange 19 protruding from the second side flange 18towards the side face of the ceiling panel which is to be clamped.Thereby, the third flange may either protrude into the upright side face4, 6, 14, 16 of the ceiling panel, which extends along the second sideflange 18 of the abutment edge. The third flange 19 may, for example,run substantially perpendicular (FIG. 1 b) with respect to the secondflange 18, or extend under a smaller angle if an improved clamping isaimed at (FIG. 1 c). The third flange 19 may as such also be bent orangled in longitudinal direction if an improved control of the clampingaction is required as is shown in FIG. 1 c. An angled third flange 19will usually be clamped within the groove. The third flange 19 may alsobe toothed in longitudinal direction or comprise multiple protrusionsalong the longitudinal direction to facilitate insertion, especially incase the ceiling panel does not contain a groove (FIG. 2 a). It isparticularly preferred that the third flange 19 is resiliently mountedwith respect to the second flange 18 as in that way the clamping actionexerted by the abutment edge may be improved. The third flange 19 mayfurther be connected to a fourth flange 39 which is folded back along atleast part of the third flange and in that way provides a resilientmember. In that way, a kind of clamping force is provided which makesthe suspension member 3 difficult to remove from the ceiling panel. Thethird flange 19 may as such be a resilient member as well.

The width of the top flange and the extent to which the top flange 17 ofthe abutment edge is attached to the ceiling panel is not critical tothe invention and will usually be adapted by the person skilled in theart, depending on the nature and weight of the material of the ceilingpanel. Also the nature of the material of which the abutment edge ismade will usually be taken into account. The ceiling panel may beclamped within the attachment member over substantially its entireheight as is shown in FIG. 1 d or over a part of its height only as isshown in FIGS. 1 a-1 c.

To facilitate attachment of the ceiling panel 1 to the attachment means10, the ceiling panel preferably comprises a first and a second groove5, 15 in opposite upright sides 4, 14, 6, 16 of the panel. The groovesmay either be provided in the longitudinal 4, 14 or transverse sides 6,16 of the panel or in both (FIGS. 1 c, 2 b and 4 a). It is, however,also possible to have ceiling panels that do not contain such grooves(FIGS. 1 a, 1 b, 1 d, 4 b, 4 c). In case no groove is provided, theattachment means or part thereof may be attached to the top face 12and/or the upright side face 4, 14, 6, 16 against which the attachmentmeans 10 abut. It is also possible to use attachment means 10 which maybe driven into the material of the ceiling panel, in particular in theupright side face of the panel as is shown in FIGS. 1 b, 4 b. Especiallyin that case a close fit of the top flange and upright flange of theabutment edge to the top face and upright side face of the ceiling panelis required. This technique may, for example, be used with ceilingpanels made of a soft material or, for example, of wood. In that caseusually use will be made of a suspension member 3 as shown in FIG. 2 a,where the protrusions 35 facilitate insertion of the third flange 19into the material of the ceiling panel.

It is, however, also possible to provide at least one groove 7, 8 in oneor both transverse sides 6, 16 of the ceiling panel. This permitsmounting the ceiling panels in multiple directions (FIGS. 1 c, 2 b, 4 a)or accommodating a suspension member in one pair of opposite grooves,and an intermediate profile to be described below in the other pair ofopposite grooves.

The thickness of the ceiling panel 1 will usually be chosen such that itis sufficiently large to accommodate the above-described groove orgrooves 5, 7, 8, 15. The distance between each of the grooves 5, 7, 8,15 and the top and bottom face 12, 13 of the ceiling panel may be thesame or different. The distance between the transverse grooves 7, 8 andthe top and bottom face 12, 13 may be the same or different as thedistance between the longitudinal grooves 5, 15 and the top and bottomface of the ceiling panel, but is preferably the same to permit usingthe ceiling panels in any desired orientation. Each groove 5, 7, 8, 15may extend over virtually the whole length of the side face of theceiling panel into which it is provided, or over part of this lengthonly. The length of the groove will usually be adapted to the length ofthe corresponding attachment member 10 of the suspension member 3 to bereceived in the groove. It is however preferred that each groove 5, 7,8, 15 extends over the whole length of the side face of the ceilingpanel into which it is provided, as this facilitates insertion of thesuspension member 3 and minimizes the risk to damaging the ceilingpanel. From the above given description it follows that the suspensionmembers cannot be seen from the surface below the suspended ceiling, incase the third flange 19 of the suspension member 3 extends within theinterior of the ceiling panel. Thus a concealed system is provided,which may look very monolithic if so desired. This may be achieved byminimizing the distance between adjacent panels.

With the above described system, a concealed suspended ceiling isprovided wherein facing sides of opposite ceiling panels are attached tosuspension members, which in turn are suspended in a direct manner tothe building construction or through the intermediate of a suspensiongrid. From the above described construction of the suspension members itfollows that along the sides of the ceiling panels bearing thesuspension members, hardly any passage to the space between the ceilingpanels and the building construction is provided, thus providing a flamesafe ceiling.

In the event the ceiling panel 1 comprises at least one groove 5, 7, 8,15 the top part 30 of the panel, i.e. the part of the panel locatedbetween the groove and the top face of the panel 12, may have the sameor different dimension as the bottom part 40 of the panel. This meansthat the top and bottom part 30, 40 may have the same or a differentlength and/or width. This feature may, for example, be used to providevisible grooves or reveals between adjacent panels at the visible sideof the suspended ceiling, for example, for aesthetic reasons or toprovide illumination. Those grooves may extend either in longitudinal ortransverse direction of the ceiling only, or in both directions.

Depending on the rigidity of the material of which the ceiling panels 1are made, the suspension member 3, in particular the first, second andthird flange 17-19 may have the same or a smaller length as compared tothe side 4, 6, 14, 16 of the panel to which it is attached. Thesuspension member 3 may either be attached to both longitudinal sides 4,14 of the ceiling panel or to the transverse sides 6, 16. An improvedrigidity of the suspended ceiling is however obtained with a first,second and third flange 17-19 having substantially the same length asthe upright side 4, 14, 6, 16 of the ceiling panel to which they areattached. With such a construction, optimum leveling of the ceilingpanels is achieved, the suspension member being capable of compensatingplastic deformation of the panel carried by it. Within the framework ofthis invention, it is possible to attach multiple suspension members 3to one upright of the single ceiling panel as is shown in FIG. 4 b.Within the framework of this invention, it is also possible to attach toa single suspension member an upright side of a single ceiling panel ortwo or multiple ceiling panels. It is, however, preferred to attach onlyone single ceiling panel 1 to a suspension member 3 as this improves theversatility of the system and maximizes design possibilities. Attachmentof one single panel will also be preferred for ceiling panels made of aheavy or pliable material, as an improved support is provided.

For aesthetic reasons, for example, facing bottom edges at a side of theceiling panel remote from the ceiling suspension system, may bechamfered. It is also possible to cut an edge from the bottom face andpart of the upright side face of facing sides of adjacent panels. Thismay be of particular importance in case the distance between adjacentpanel for one reason or another may vary somewhat. The visibility ofsuch varying distance may be reduced by the chamfered edges.

To improve the monolithic character of the suspended ceiling of thisinvention and to improve the fire resistant properties of the ceiling,facing side faces 6, 16 of adjacent panels 1 which connect the uprightsides 4, 14 to which the suspension members 3 are attached, preferablyhave complementary engaging surfaces. This may be achieved in differentways. For example, facing side faces of adjacent panels connecting theupright sides attached to the corresponding suspension members, may havecomplementary stepped surfaces.

As can be seen from FIG. 1 c and FIG. 4 a, the upright second flange 18and the seventh flange may comprise at least one notch which protrudesfrom the flange towards an adjacent panel. This is a way to increase thedistance between adjacent panels. Preferably notches on facing flangesare positioned in such a way that they take corresponding positions totouch one another. By giving facing notches co-operating, engagingsurfaces, an additional fixation of the position of adjacent panels isprovided. The engagement is preferably releasable.

The ceiling panels used in the suspended ceiling of the presentinvention can be made of a single material or of a plurality ofmaterials. They can be made of a single layer or multiple layers adheredto each other. The ceiling panel of this invention can be made of anymaterial considered suitable by the person skilled in the art, forexample, wood, cement, plastic, fibrous reinforced plastic, gypsum,glass or any other material or combination of materials.

In the embodiment shown in the attached figures, the ceiling panels areprovided to be slideable in the direction in which the suspension member3, 33 extends.

Thus, with the present invention a suspended ceiling is provided whichcomprises a multiplicity of ceiling panels, whereby a next ceiling panelis capable of advancing a previously inserted ceiling panel by means ofa sliding movement. Thus, a limited number of mounting positions isneeded to insert the panels. The panels may be positioned in line, in astaggered configuration or any other desired configuration. Thesuspended ceiling may be conveniently formed as a substantially flatceiling extending at one single level or multiple levels. However,opposite sides of a ceiling panel may be positioned at different levelsand thus permit constructing a waved or rounded ceiling.

1. A suspended ceiling comprising a suspension system having at leastone runner for suspending at least one ceiling panel, adjacent runnersdefining between them a space for receiving the at least one ceilingpanel, the at least one ceiling panel comprising a top face facing thesuspension system and a bottom face opposite the top face, the bottomface facing a space to be covered by the suspended ceiling, at least onesuspension member connected to the at least one ceiling panel forsuspending the at least one ceiling panel to the suspension system,wherein the suspension member comprises on a first side first suspensionmeans for suspending the ceiling panel and the suspension member fromthe suspension system, and on a second side opposite the first sidetaken in height direction of the suspension member, at least oneattachment member for attachment of a first ceiling panel to thesuspension member in such a way that the ceiling panel is held andmaintained by the attachment member, the first suspension means beingdisposed at a first distance d1 from the attachment member taken inheight direction of the suspension member, which first distance d1 ischosen such that it is sufficiently large to accommodate between the topface of the first ceiling panel and the first suspension means a secondceiling panel in thickness direction of the second ceiling panel, andthe first suspension means being disposed at a second distance d2 fromthe upright side edge of the ceiling panel attached to the attachmentmember, which is sufficient to accommodate a part of the second ceilingpanel attached to a second suspension member in width direction of theceiling panel in such a way as to permit suspending a ceiling panelbetween the first and a third panel positioned on opposite sides of theceiling panel.
 2. A suspended ceiling as claimed in claim 1 in which theat least one attachment member comprises an abutment edge which isprovided to abut against at least part of the top face and at least oneupright side face of the ceiling panel.
 3. A suspended ceiling asclaimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the abutment edge comprises clampingmeans for clamping the ceiling panel along at least part of the top faceand part of the upright side face of the ceiling panel.
 4. A suspendedceiling as claimed in claim 3 in which the clamping means comprise afirst top flange abutting against the top face of the ceiling panel, asecond side flange abutting against at least part of a side face of theceiling panel.
 5. A suspended ceiling as claimed in claim 4 in which theclamping means further comprise a third flange which protrudes from thesecond flange at a position of the bottom face of the panel, and isprovided to clamp the at least one panel between the first top flangeand the third bottom flange along part of respectively the top andbottom face of the ceiling panel.
 6. A suspended ceiling as claimed inclaim 4 in which the clamping means further comprise a third flangewhich protrudes from the second flange towards the panel and is providedto be received within an interior part of the panel, at a positionbetween the top and bottom face of the ceiling panel.
 7. A suspendedceiling as claimed in claim 6 in which at least one upright side face ofthe ceiling panel comprises at least one groove at a position betweenthe top and bottom face of the panel for receiving the third flange, inview of clamping the ceiling panel within the clamping means between atleast part of the top face of the ceiling panel and the groove.
 8. Asuspended ceiling as claimed in claim 7 in which the groove extends overa substantial length of the side face of the ceiling panel and theclamping means extend over a substantial length of the groove.
 9. Asuspended ceiling as claimed in claim 8 in which the third flange isconnected to the second flange in a resilient manner.
 10. A suspendedceiling as claimed in claim 8 in which the third flange is made as aresilient member.
 11. A ceiling suspension system as claimed in claim 1in which the at least one suspension member is slideably mountable tothe building construction.
 12. A suspended ceiling as claimed in claim 3in which the suspension means are provided to suspend the ceiling panelin a direction parallel to the upright side attached to the clampingmeans.
 13. A suspended ceiling as claimed in claim 3 in which thesuspension means are provided to suspend the ceiling panel to thesuspension system in a direction substantially perpendicular to theupright side attached to the clamping means.
 14. A ceiling suspensionsystem as claimed in claim 1 in which at a side of the ceiling panelremote from the ceiling suspension system, facing bottom edges of facingceiling panels are chamfered.
 15. A suspended ceiling as claimed inclaim 1 in which all ceiling panels have the same or a different length.16. A suspended ceiling as claimed in claim 1 in which all ceilingpanels have the same or a different width.
 17. A suspended ceiling asclaimed in claim 1 in which facing side faces of adjacent panelsconnecting the upright sides (4, 14) to which the correspondingsuspension members are attached, have complementary engaging surfaces.18. A suspended ceiling as claimed in claim 1 in which facing side facesof adjacent panels connecting the upright sides attached to thecorresponding suspension members, have complementary stepped surfaces.19. A ceiling suspension system comprising: a plurality of generallyrectangular ceiling tiles having first and second opposed edges; a gridcomprising a plurality of parallel elongated runners suspended from abuilding structure; and a plurality of suspension members adapted tocapture the opposed edges of the ceiling tiles and comprising alongitudinal flange adapted to overlie the upper surface of a ceilingtile, a first side flange extending upwardly from the longitudinalflange and terminating in a hook adapted to cooperate with a fixationclamp, a second side flange depending downwardly from the longitudinalflange and adapted to lie along at least a portion of the edge of aceiling tile, and a third flange depending from the second flange, thethird flange being generally parallel to the longitudinal flange so thatthe edge of the ceiling tile is captured by the suspension memberbetween the longitudinal flange and the third flange.
 20. The ceilingsuspension system of claim 19 wherein the opposed edges of the ceilingtiles include an elongated slot intermediate the upper and lowersurfaces of the ceiling tile, the slot adapted to receive the thirdflange of the suspension member.
 21. The ceiling suspension system ofclaim 19 wherein the third flange of the suspension member engages thelower surface of the ceiling tile.
 22. The ceiling suspension system ofclaim 19 wherein the second flange comprises at least one projection anda complementarily-shaped recess along the length thereof for positivelylocating the suspension member of a first ceiling tile with thesuspension member of an adjacent second ceiling tile.
 23. The ceilingsuspension system of claim 19 wherein the longitudinal flange comprisesa rib extending downwardly therefrom for strengthening the longitudinalflange and for providing a surface for engaging the upper surface of theceiling tile.
 24. The ceiling suspension system of claim 19 wherein thesecond side flange is stepped inwardly so as to cooperate with anadjacent suspension carrier to provide a reveal between adjacent ceilingtiles.
 25. The ceiling suspension system of claim 19 wherein the thirdflange comprises an edge with projections along the length thereofadapted to bite into the ceiling tiles.
 26. The ceiling suspensionsystem of claim 19 wherein the ceiling carriers are sized in length tocorrespond to the length of the ceiling tiles.
 27. The ceilingsuspension system of claim 19 wherein the third flange comprises a dogleg profile for providing an engagement surface with the ceiling tile.28. The ceiling suspension system of claim 19 wherein the runnerscomprise an inverted T-shaped cross-section with a central web withopposed flanges depending therefrom, the opposed flanges each having afurther flange extending upwardly therefrom for capturing the hook ofthe suspension member so as to prevent disengagement of the suspensionmember from the runner by horizontal movement of the ceiling tile.